Albion v Liverpool match preview

ALBION host Liverpool in a Premier League clash at The Hawthorns on Saturday (ko 12.30pm).

The opposition

Liverpool currently sit third in the Premier League table having accumulated 70 points from their 34 games so far this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have won three of their last five league games, drawing one and losing the other, and progressed through to the semi-finals of the Champions League by beating Manchester City 5-1 over two legs last week.

Their most recent outing was a 3-0 win over AFC Bournemouth at Anfield on the weekend.

Last time out

Our last meeting with Liverpool was an FA Cup fifth round tie in January when a Jay Rodriguez brace and Craig Dawson’s strike were enough to overcome goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to win 3-2.

Dawson scores Albion's third goal in our triumph at Anfield

Stats

Albion

Since the draw with Everton on Boxing Day, Rodriguez has now scored eight goals in his last 17 appearances.

This season is the first since 1921/22 that Albion have beaten both Liverpool and Manchester United away from home.

Claudio Yacob will make his 150th start for Albion if he’s selected in the line-up on Saturday.

Liverpool

Firmino has had a hand in five goals in his last five PL appearances (two assists, three goals).

Sadio Mane is now the highest scoring Senegalese player in PL history having notched 44 goals, eclipsing Demba Ba’s previous record of 43.

Salah is only the third Liverpool player to have ever scored 40 or more goals in one season after Roger Hunt and Ian Rush.

From the archive

Here are the highlights from Albion’s last win at The Hawthorns against Liverpool back in 2012…

Of the 150 matches that have been played, Albion have won 39 times, there have been 43 draws and Liverpool have been victorious on 68 occasions.

Man in the middle

The referee for Saturday’s game is Stuart Attwell, and he’ll be assisted by Simon Long and Daniel Cook - with Jonathan Moss as the fourth official.

It’ll be the second time that Attwell has refereed Albion this season, having previously been in the middle for the 1-1 draw away at Everton in January.

Ticket news

Tickets for the game remain on sale for Baggies fans.

Season-ticket holders and members can purchase seats at the price of £35 adults, £28 seniors (60+), £23 full-time students/young adults (22 and under) and just £14 juniors (U17).

They can be bought online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Please note that members with no previous purchase history will not be eligible to buy.

Members must have at least 10 loyalty points, which equates to two games, to purchase. This can be from the current season or from the 2016/17 campaign.

There are no plans for this fixture to go on general sale.

Follow the game

Comprehensive coverage of the clash with Liverpool is available in our Match Centre, where you can listen to free live commentary on WBA Radio or follow our live text feed.

WBA Radio is the only service that allows Baggies fans around the world - from Smethwick to the Sahara - access to uninterrupted live commentaries from every one of our competitive games. Join Gez Mulholland and Dave Bowler for Baggies-biased live commentary on Saturday.

You’ll also be able to find score updates on the club's social media channels.

Albion 2 Liverpool 2

21 April 2018

ALBION fought back from two goals down to claim a Premier League point in a 2-2 draw against high-flying Liverpool.

Danny Ings smashed the Reds into a fourth-minute lead from close range although Albion proved more than a match for the Champions League semi-finalists as they pushed for a leveller in the Saturday lunchtime encounter.

Mohamed Salah doubled the visitors' advantage in the second half yet the Baggies continued to threaten and got their rewards courtesy of Jake Livermore's 79th-minute strike.

Salomon Rondon's late header duly secured a deserved share of the spoils as Albion hit back and ensured Darren Moore continued his unbeaten start to life in the Baggies hot-seat.

The draw leaves Albion eight points from safety with three matches of the season remaining.

Mooro kept faith with the same starting XI who triumphed by a single goal at Manchester United last weekend, although Albion found themselves behind early on against Liverpool.

Sadio Mane worked a short corner with James Milner before surging into the penalty area and sending in a low cross which found Georginio Wijnaldum and fell kindly for Ings to smash home from six yards.

The Baggies responded brightly in the April sunshine, albeit without seriously testing Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius as they forced as succession of corners.

The hosts went agonisingly close in the 38th minute as James McClean sent Livermore's deep ball back across the face of goal and narrowly wide, Jay Rodriguez inches away from connecting merely two yards out.

Foster saved superbly from Ings with his feet as the Reds held a slender advantage at the interval despite an industrious and threatening showing from Albion.

Moore's side carried on where they left off at the start of the second half, pushing forward time and again, with Matt Phillips enjoying joy down the flanks.

But it was Liverpol who had the killer instinct and Salah doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute, lifting the ball over Foster having been fed by substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

However, the Baggies refused to give up the fight and Livermore fired home from eight yards after Craig Dawson had seen his effort blocked.

And the battling Baggies were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude with an 88th-minute equaliser.

Sub Oliver Burke was fouled on the left-hand side, with Brunt delivering a trademark free-kick straight into the path of Rondon who nodded past Karius.

Liverpool tickets on sale

19 April 2018

TICKETS remain on sale for Albion’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at The Hawthorns on Saturday, April 21 (ko 12.30pm).

Season-ticket holders and members can purchase seats for the fixture against the Reds, with prices set at £35 adults, £28 seniors (60+), £23 full-time students/young adults (22 and under) and just £14 juniors (U17).

Tickets can be bought online, in person from the East Stand Ticket Office or by calling 0121 227 2227.

Please note members with no previous purchase history will not be eligible to buy.

Members must have at least 10 loyalty points, which equates to two games, to purchase. This can be from the current season or from the 2016-17 campaign.